Cleaning Via Freezing – Controversial But Effective

Last week we did up an instructional post on washing your raw denim. However, some of the feedback we received soon after was that that most people have a tough time making it to that six month mark. Either the smell settles in, some stains show up here and there, and just the idea of going so long without washing their denim makes them cringe. Thankfully, there is an alternative solution – freezing raw denim.

Essentially, the root of the “dirtiness” evil that causes your denim to smell and feel grimy is bacteria. As bacteria culminates and grows in humid and warm environments, clothing that is worn tight to the body, exposed to sweat, and for long periods of time (i.e. raw denim) makes for the perfect breeding grounds. The simple logic then with “clean freezing” is that it “shocks” and kills all bacteria that may be accumulating.

Luckily enough, the folks over at Apartment Therapy have just put together a concise how-to video. If you don’t have time to watch the full video, here is the step-by-step:

So how do deal with stains before an official wash? I work on cars in my jeans and they tend to get kinda dirty

http://twitter.com/RawrDenim Rawr Denim

@efca23ac08c483eace94b51edd9d5a3e:disqus It will be tough to remove the stains completely without abrading the denim & losing some indigo (depending on heavily set they are too). Try dabbing the stains with water that’s mixed with Woolite soap.

ThinFinnJohn

I say those jeans will look really cool! The stains will add a little something extra that not many else will have. I think you just wear them for six months then wash them, who cares about the stains right now!

@e53c6cd83bc40d91844edbc7407c6167:disqus Interesting, thanks for the share. How would one explain any funky smell being eliminated after a freezer clean though?

Redragon 3883

Much of the bacteria died during the freezing process which explain the disappearance of the smell, some survive (not big enough to cause any weird smell) and will multiply when you wear your jeans again (because of the warmth)

Boosh

Similarly, after a “proper” wash, jeans come in contact with the skin, which is PACKED with bacteria, they are passed to the fresh jeans and multiply.

Khalilfaris

so if i want to keep wearing my denim, and keep fading them but dont want to wash them, this will work?